WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 6309

SB 6309: High cap. transit permits

Providing for enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects.

Summary

  • Allows a regional transit authority (RTA) to apply for permits under certain conditions and construct specific facilities that exceed height limits and setback requirements under certain circumstances.
  • Establishes that a development agreement between a local government and an RTA may set forth development standards that vary from applicable development regulations in certain circumstances.
  • Requires a local government to accept applications from an RTA regardless of whether the RTA owns or has possession and use of the property subject to the application, so long as the application is otherwise complete.
  • Exempts the division of land caused by the acquisition of a portion of an existing lot or tract by an RTA that is acquiring land to build RTA facilities.

From the Substitute Senate Bill Report (SSB 6309), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 166, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 26, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 9, 2026
  3. Passed SenateFeb 13, 2026
  4. Passed HouseMar 4, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 23, 2026
  6. LawMar 23, 2026
Prime sponsor
Marko Liias (D-21)
Introduced
January 26, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
March 23, 2026
Session law
Chapter 166, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
HB 2517
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 6309, SSB 6309

AN ACT Relating to enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Marko Liias (D-21)

2 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Emily Alvarado D-34Rebecca Saldaña D-37

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 13, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 6309
31 Yea 17 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican11701
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 4, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 6309
56 Yea 38 Nay 0 Absent 4 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56003
Republican03801
How each member voted

Yea (56)

Excused (4)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 10, 2026
Version voted on: SSB 6309
30 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican01900
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*. (SSB 6309)
  2. Chapter 166, 2026 Laws. (SSB 6309)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 6309)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 6309)
  5. President signed. (SSB 6309)
  6. Speaker signed. (SSB 6309)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 6309)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 6309)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 4. (SSB 6309)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 6309)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (SSB 6309)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 6309)
  13. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 6309)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 6309)
  15. LG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 6309)
  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 6309)
  17. LG - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 6309)
  18. First reading, referred to Local Government. (SSB 6309)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 6309)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 6309)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 6309)
  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 6309)
  24. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  25. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 6309)
  26. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 6309)
  27. WM - Majority; without recommendation. (SSB 6309)
  28. WM - Majority; without recommendation.
  29. Minority; do not pass.
  30. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  31. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 6309)
  32. Referred to Ways & Means.
  33. LGV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 6309)
  34. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 6309)
  35. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 6309)
  36. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 6309)
  37. Minority; without recommendation.
  38. Minority; do not pass.
  39. And refer to Ways & Means.
  40. LGV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  41. First reading, referred to Local Government.

SB 6309 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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